Leafs’ unsung heroes picking up the slack early in season

Kadri

Steve Russell/News services file photo

Toronto Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri (43) tries to get past Buffalo Sabres left wing Tyler Ennis (63) in third period action as the Toronto Maple Leafs drop their home opener against the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

The Leafs’ Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel continue to lead Toronto in ice time, but there is debate as to whether or not the two highest-paid players are actually the club’s best at this early juncture of the season.

Both players are featured prominently in coach Randy Carlyle’s game plan, and they dominate five-on-five and special teams’ ice time.

Carlyle, though, calls his club a work in progress. With a record of 4-4 after eight games, the Leafs need to tighten up their turnovers, use their speed and forecheck to greater advantage and toughen up in front of the opposition net.

The top players in those respects have been on the third line — Nazem Kadri, Leo Komarov and Matt Frattin. And on defence, Mike Kostka has logged more minutes than Phaneuf in some games, while Mark Fraser has led the way physically.

“I think what our line has done well is get offensive chances and execute,” Frattin said Sunday as the Leafs prepared for a Monday game against http://hurricanes.nhl.com/CarolinaEND. “We use our speed on the forecheck, but we have to watch (turning the puck over) in key situations in the game.”

That trio led the way against the Bruins on Saturday night in a game in which the Leafs skated and worked hard but committed turnovers that spoiled the effort.

Komarov, the Leafs’ leader in hits, led the game with six hits, while the third line was by far the leader in scoring chances. That line, though, also topped out in giveaways and turnovers. Frattin said the line is offensive minded but getting turnovers under control is a constant task.

“We have had a good year, but we still have so many things to learn about each other,” Frattin said. “Things like reading situations and where we need to be on the ice ... it takes some time.”

Kostka, meanwhile, has been a hidden gem in establishing himself on the top defence pairing with Phaneuf — all without any NHL experience prior to making the Leaf roster.

“I just think what we’re looking for is consistency,” Carlyle said about Kostka. “I think he’s earned the opportunity to continue to play and he does a lot of good things out there.”